Sony and Microsoft are considering whether to hold off on releasing next-generation home games consoles in the hopes of waiting out the RAM availability crisis.
That’s according to a new report from Insider Gaming, which says the erstwhile gaming icons are hedging their bets on RAM becoming less expensive and more available beyond the originally floated release dates of 2027-28.
With Xbox Series X|S and PS5 consoles facing potential price increases due to RAM being such a hot commodity – all thanks to the demand for AI-based use-cases – it might make sense to hold off, rather than contend with shortages and passing the price increases on to consumers eagerly seeking new hardware.
Those shortages are expected to last well beyond the next 12 months, according to recent estimates from the International Data Corporation (via Metro).
Insider Gaming’s Tom Henderson writes: “From what we understand, the situation has led console manufacturers to debate whether the next generation of consoles should be delayed from their intended 2027-2028 release window, with the hope that RAM manufacturers will be able to build out their infrastructure to produce more RAM, thereby allowing prices to drop.”
If this is the case, gamers might be able to look forward to an affordable console, rather than having to wait for unfeasibly high prices to drop to a more reasonable rate.
Given the PS5 is still in good shape and should be for at least a couple of more years. The PS5 Pro is still in its infancy. but Microsoft’s hardware business appears to be cratering. How much Microsoft actually cares about that remains to be seen.
